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In recent years many fanciful legends have been woven
about Rewi's famous message from the ramparts at Orakau. The
following, which reconciles Pakeha and Maori sources, is the
record of the conversation between W. G. Mair, Hauraki
Tonganui, and Ahumai Te Paerata.

Early in the afternoon of 2 April 1864, the last day of
the siege, General Cameron offered the garrison a chance to
surrender. Accordingly, W. G. Mair and Mainwaring showed a
flag of truce from the British sap. Immediately the firing
ceased and the Maoris crowded to the ramparts. Mair and his
companion then emerged from the sap and walked to within a
few yards of the Maori defence works.

In the meantime Mair's message was conveyed by Te Huia
Raureti to Rewi, who was sitting with the council of chiefs
at the northern end of the pa. After some discussion they
decided to refuse Cameron's offer and Rewi said: “Kaore e
mau te rongo–ake, ake!” (“Peace shall never be
made–never, never!”)

Raureti returned to the parapet where Hauraki Tonganui
replied to Mair in Rewi's own words. As these were uttered
all the people in the pa shouted: “Kaore e mau te
rongo–ake, ake, ake.”

When the final decision was made, Rewi came out from the
north-west angle of the pa and stood in the trench a few
yards behind Raureti and Hauraki Tonganui.

At that reply Mair said: “E pai ana tena mo koutou
tangata, engari kahore e tika kia mate nga wahine me nga
tamariki. Tukuna mai era.” (“That is well for you men,
but is not right that the women and children should die. Let
them come out.”)

Somebody, probably Te Paerata, the old Taupo chief, said:
“Na te aha koe e mohio he wahine kei konei?” (“How
did you know there were women and children here?”)

While this conversation was going on, Rewi was considering
Mair's second proposal. Before he had come to any decision,
however, the question was taken out of his hands because
Ahumai Te Paerata, daughter of Te Paerata, and one of the few
survivors of the siege, stood up on the parapet and replied
on their behalf: “Ki te mate nga tane, me mate ano nga
wahine me nga tamariki.” (“If the men die, the women and
children must die also.”)

Then, realising that there would be no further parley,
Mair said: “E pai ana, kua mutu te kupu.” (“It is
well; the word is ended.”)

by Bernard John Foster, M.A., Research
Officer, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.

Co-creator

How to cite this page: '“AKE AKE”—THE WORDS USED AT ORAKAU', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966.Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New ZealandURL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/ake-ake-the-words-used-at-orakau (accessed 26 May 2019)